EAST 220 - The Art of the Japanese Book: Material Culture, Libraries, Museums

FC ARHU CD WINT

4 credits
We will explore Japanese ehon (illustrated books about literature, painting, nature, morality, travel, religion from 17th-20th century) in the College Libraries. We will handle books, manuscripts, and printed maps and learn about printing, layout, paper, binding. These appealing artisanal books also provide a window onto the material culture and reading practices of pre-digital cultures and the historical contexts of the book trade, publishing, and literacy. Digital technologies have transformed access to collections of Japanese books around the world. How can we interpret these vast databases and material collections? Taught in English, with supplementary materials for students who know Japanese.

Prerequisites: One EAST course or ARTH 204.